Glossary

A glossary of common terms and definitions for our areas of expertise – we hope you find it useful

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Dotted Line Reporting

What are solid line reporting and dotted line reporting in a matrix organization structure?

What are solid line reporting and dotted line reporting in a matrix organization structure? The definition of a matrix organization structure is where people report formally to more than one manager.

These reporting lines can take the form of what is known as a solid line or a dotted line reporting relationship. The weight of the line is meant to represent the level of power and influence of the different managers.

Global leadership is defined as leading people who are based in multiple regions of the world. Global leaders have to engage very diverse groups of stakeholders and colleagues to get things done.

Matrix Organization

A matrix organization structure is usually defined as one where there are multiple reporting lines – that is, people have more than one formal boss.

This may incorporate solid lines (direct strong reporting) and dotted lines (a weaker reporting relationship, but still indicating some formal level of ‘right’ to the individual’s time) or it may mean multiple solid lines to more than one boss.

At this level, the definition of a matrix organization structure is quite simple but there are many different types of complex structure.

Matrix Teams

The term “matrix team” is coming into regular usage, but how do we define a matrix team.

In its strictest definition a matrix organization structure is where people have more than one boss. So we could simply define a matrix team as a team where individuals on the team report to more than one boss.

However, there are a variety of forms of matrix management and matrix structures and the term matrix team has been used more widely to define teamwork in these more complex environments. You could also consider matrix team as a variant of a virtual team.

Networked Organization

The networked organization is one that connects together by informal networks and the demands of the task, rather than a formal organizational structure. The network organization prioritizes its “soft structure” of relationships, networks, teams, groups and communities rather than reporting lines.

In reality, even the most flexible organizations do have some reporting relationships, so a pure networked organization rarely exists. It is more a statement of intent to get things done flexibly rather than to rely on structure.

Solid Line Reporting

The definition of a matrix organization structure is where people report formally to more than one manager.

These reporting lines can take the form of what is known as a solid line or a dotted line reporting relationship. The weight of the line is meant to represent the level of power and influence of the different managers.